Finally...Celebs are getting it right!

 

Watching the Golden Globes last night, I realized that all those beautiful celebs were rockin' their beautiful pale skin!  Wake up people, tans are so OUT!  Pale is the new IN.

 

I love that people are becoming more and more comfortable in the skin they were born in.  Rock it, own it, and relish in the beautiful, unique YOU!

Bitter, frosty winter

I had to share a few photos of the beautiful winter we are having so far!  Sure, it's 5 degrees outside and I'm kinda over it, but on the bright side, we live in a winter wonderland with clean air, beaufiful mountains and trees surrounding us, and a safe place to call HOME!

 

 

 

 

Pale is the new tan.

 

 

Pale is the new tan.  In 2013, let's embrace and love the skin that we are in!

Melanoma Miracle

The below post was written by a fellow melanoma warrior, Alisa Linton, 33 years old, fighting Stage IV melanoma. Her story is nothing short of miraculous.

 

 "In 2012:

I spent 1/10 of my year in the hospital in critical care.
... Most of those weeks I couldn't walk out the room without blacking out.
I was too sick even to smile.
I gained 120 lbs.
I lost 115. :)
I put a binder together for my funeral requests.
My heart stopped for 7 seconds.
I grew 25 brain tumors.
I destroyed 25 brain tumors.
I got my first tattoos.
I explained to my kids how I was dying.
My kids stopped believing me.
I mourned a bit.
I celebrated a ton.
I had melanoma in my liver, bones, lungs, brain, and really all over.
I now have only three tumors left.

2013 is the year we get rid of this beast for once and for all!"

 

 

Remember, there are miracles all around us, we must never give up hope.

In 2013...

 

 Usually my list is about organization, goals I want to accomplish, and high expections and hopes I have for myself and the upcoming year.

 

One thing cancer has taught me is that life doesn't always go as planned.  In fact, most of the time it doesn't.  Sure, it's important to have hopes and dreams, but something I'm trying to do better this year is not make so many goals.  I want to get back to living in the moment, enjoying life to the fullest, giving myself a break (because I'm way too hard on myself), and spending more time with my family and loved ones.

 

What is your resolution for 2013??

Rest in Peace, Jillian

 

Jillian Hayes, at the tender age of 23, passed away from complications of melanoma.  Such a sad day for all those who know her, love her, and even those (like me) who don't know know her personally, but read about her on the blog her sweet mother, Susan Hayes, writes.  It always hits home for me when one of my 'comrades' loses their battle with the exact same disease that I have.

 

 

Jillian was truly an inspiring person who lived life with great joy, who gave back, who fought long and hard with determination, and who wanted everyone to be happy.  Everytime I read her blog, I am in tears reading Susan's beautiful words.  Here is an excerpt from her latest post after Jillian passed away:

 

"I don’t know where I'm going yet. But I do know this. Jillian would stand. She would not let life’s circumstances break her. Jillian would live her life each and every day fully. She would have fun! I’m terribly sad, but I’m not broken. I’m lost, but I’ll find my way. God hasn’t let me down so far, not once. I’ll listen for His voice, and wait for His exciting plan for me.

 

In the meantime, I’ll take Jillian’s lead. In honor of what she has taught us, I’m going to Fall Seven Times, and Stand Eight. Or eighty eight."

 

 

May you find great peace and comfort during such a difficult time, Susan.  I pray that your family will feel of God's constant and infinite love.  I pray that you will be able to slowly heal, that you will find new meaning to life, and that you will fill your life with happiness and always remember the important life lessons your daughter taught you.  God bless.

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  This year for Christmas we are surprising our kids and taking them to Disneyland, along with the rest of my family!

 

 

We hope you are celebrating life and all its blessings and the birth of our Savior.  We have much to be grateful for this year!

Be a Helper

 

 I saw this picture on Facebook shortly after the Sandy Hook shootings and loved it.

 

Perfectly said, Mister Rogers. 

 

You were right, there are still a lot of good people and 'helpers' in this world.

Prayers for Sandy Hook

 

 

One of the most devasting and tragic events happened today. 26 people, 20 of which were first graders, were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Conneticut in a mass shooting. Their faces will be engraved into my heart forever.

Unfortunately, there have been too of these shootings in the last decade or so. All terrible and tragic, but for some reason, the Sandy Hook shootings struck me emotionally on such a different level, one that I cannot fully put into words. When I heard the news, I couldn't take my eyes off the computer, reading and watching the latest breaking news. I was in tears, MAJOR tears. I just couldn't believe it. How could this happen to such innocent, beautiful, sweet people who have so much life left to be lived? I kept thinking about these little children, all who go to school everyday thinking they are safe and then the unthinkable happens. They are gone. And then I thought about the survivors of that event and what they witnessed and experienced. Horrible. Nobody should have to experience those events, and especially children. And then I thought of these childrens families, who I'm sure sent their children to school that day, just like any other day, not thinking twice about their safety or the fact that they might not see their child again.

My mind wandered all day to what I would do in that situation. I honestly cannot even imagine the pain and sorrow that these families are feeling right now and will continue to feel for a long time. I thought of my own children, one whom is near the age of these school children and I tried to picture that scenario happening to my own child and I just couldn't. It was just...well, unimaginable.

 

All I wanted to do that day was go pick up my son from school and hug him tight and never let go. I wanted him home safe. I wanted him to always know how much I love him and how important he is to our family.

 

Dec. 15th was a tragic day for all of us, I think. I know it hit everyone hard, and for me, it put things in perspective for me once again. With Christmas approaching, I thought about what this holiday is about. I thought about what we are celebrating, and what is most important in life. Gifts, parties, Santa and all the "stuff" that tends to take over at Christmas time doesn't matter. What matters is our families. What matters is the people in our lives. What matters is our relationship with God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

I saw this picture on Facebook, and after feeling such a heavy heart all day, this picture eased my mind and gave me so much peace. I knew that our Lord and Savior was waiting to greet these little children today with open arms and embraces. I knew that these children of God had returned home to live with God and were once again happy. I knew that only through our Savior, can these families' hearts be healed someday. For only He knows what and how we feel and what we go through. Only Jesus Christ can take the pain away and mend our broken hearts with His infinite and unconditional love.

 

I am so thankful for that knowledge. It brings me so much comfort during a time like this. I am also grateful for the reminder of what is important in life, and to never take my family for granted. I was reminded to hold my children closer and always tell them that I love them each and every day.

Life is a gift. We must always remember that.



A Leader Is...